Choosing to breastfeed your newborn has many advantages for your child: development of the immune system, good digestion, protection against allergies... As you will have understood, breast milk is the best food for babies!
The question then arises: how can you successfully breastfeed?
You have decided to breastfeed your baby but you don't really know what to expect... Don't panic! Neuvième Ciel presents you with advice for breastfeeding your baby with complete peace of mind.
How do I prepare for breastfeeding during my pregnancy?
You can plan your breastfeeding before giving birth by contacting people who have already breastfed, attending a breastfeeding preparation class with a midwife/lactation consultant. Support associations are also a good way to discuss this topic.
What position to breastfeed?
Before getting into position for breastfeeding, make sure you have everything you need within reach (mobile phone, TV remote control, drink, magazine, etc.). Going to the toilet beforehand is also recommended, as you may not be able to get up for a while!
Make sure your baby is properly installed (stable and well supported).
It is important to take a comfortable position on a sofa, ideally with a suitable nursing pillow, such as the nursing pillow made from organic spelt husks and cotton created by Neuvième Ciel, and make sure you have your arms free to bring baby to the breast.
As for the position, there are different ones. It's up to you to test them and choose the one that suits you best:
– Semi-seated or biological nurturing position: a common position in which you are semi-reclined. Your baby is lying flat on your abdomen. To prevent baby from rolling over, you can place a hand on his buttocks. This position encourages baby to crawl towards your breast and raise his head in order to suckle. This position is ideal if you have back pain because you are completely relaxed.
– Madonna or cradle position: if you are giving the right breast you can choose this breastfeeding position. Take baby in the crook of your right arm, his head rests on your right forearm and his buttocks are supported by your right hand. His body is positioned on his side.
– Reverse Madonna position: Use this position if you are breastfeeding from the left breast. Position your baby’s head slightly to the right of the breast so that he or she lifts his or her head. Place the palm of your hand under his or her neck and the palm of your hand between his or her shoulder blades. Your left hand supports the left breast. His or her body is glued to you. This is a recommended position for babies who have difficulty latching on because you can help him or her latch on properly with your left hand.
– Side lying position: practical for breastfeeding at night, you are lying on your side and baby is glued to you. This position is recommended if your baby does not like having his head touched when he drinks, if you have a strong ejection reflex, or if you have a large chest.
– Rugby ball position: this position uses the arm that will carry the baby. In this position you are sitting, your left hand supports the neck and the baby's legs extend behind you. Think about your comfort by placing a cushion under your arm at a good height. This position is useful at the beginning because it allows you to support your baby while having good control and a good view of his face. It is ideal in the event of a caesarean section. With the fatigue of childbirth, and the pain, you will remain lying down to breastfeed.
The special case of breastfeeding twins. A first choice must be made: breastfeed the twins together or one after the other. If you decide to breastfeed the twins at the same time, be aware that it is not recommended to reserve one breast for one twin. Indeed, many women have one breast that produces more than the other, so one of the children may not have enough milk. The positions mentioned above are suitable for breastfeeding twins except for the "lying on the side" breastfeeding position.
How to facilitate good breastfeeding?
Making it easier for your newborn to latch on properly greatly reduces the risk of nipple pain and improves the effectiveness of sucking.
Here are some basic rules:
– Make sure that your baby opens his mouth wide, simply place his head slightly back throughout breastfeeding. If your baby has difficulty you can help him by placing your nipple under his nose to stimulate him and let a few drops of milk come out to encourage him
– Make sure your baby is close to you, his chin should be buried in the breast and his nose slightly clear.
– Make sure your baby's mouth covers a large part of the areola, your newborn approaches the breast with his chin, his lips tightly curled on the breast create a suction effect.
How do we know if our baby has had enough milk?
The vast majority of babies feed between 8 and 12 times per 24 hours and night feeds often make up a significant portion of the total amount of milk absorbed per 24 hours.
A baby falling asleep is not necessarily a criterion that shows that the baby is getting enough milk.
To know if our baby has received enough milk, we must monitor the baby's diapers. The baby must wet 5 diapers per 24 hours at least and must pass at least 3 stools that must cover the palm of your hand per 24 hours.
Baby's weight gain over time is also a good indicator to measure the effectiveness of breastfeeding. In the early days of breastfeeding, a breastfed baby girl will gain 190 grams per week (about 800 grams in the first few months), a breastfed baby boy will gain 230 grams per week (about 1kg in the first few months).
From then on, you can report your baby's weight gain in his or her health record and ensure that it follows an average in comparison with the WHO weight gain curves for breastfed babies.
Breastfeeding at work?
Are you going back to work soon and you are wondering how you are going to organize yourself?
First of all, you should know that breastfeeding at work is a right. Article L1225-30 of the French Labor Code stipulates: "For one year from the day of birth, an employee breastfeeding her child has one hour per day during working hours for this purpose."
If your employer does not comply with these provisions, he or she is liable to criminal penalties: 1,000 to 3,000 euros in the event of a repeat offence. If you work in a company with more than 100 employees, a breastfeeding room must be provided by your employer.
However, you should know that breastfeeding time taken during working hours will not give rise to remuneration, which is not actual working time.
The labor code does not provide for breastfeeding leave. However, certain collective agreements may provide for it.
When to stop breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding is recommended from the first days of your baby's life. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding (without supplements such as water, fruit juice, powdered milk, etc.) until the age of 6 months and diversification until 2 years, meaning that you can accompany your baby's diet with solid food. Breastfeeding can be continued as long as the child is developing well, up to 2 years or more.
The Hugo organic nursing pillow, your ally for breastfeeding!
The Hugo nursing pillow is a creation by Neuvième Ciel. This pillow meets a need on the part of our customers: to find an organic nursing pillow that is respectful of the health of mother and baby. Indeed, many nursing pillows on the market present a health hazard: endocrine disruptors because of the polystyrene balls.
The Hugo nursing pillow is a nursing pillow made from 100% natural organic spelt husks. Its cover is made of cotton and it is filled with organic spelt husks. This pillow will help you sleep during your 9 months of pregnancy. It is also the ideal ally for breastfeeding. It will support the weight of your baby and prevent back pain. With this organic nursing pillow, your baby will feel like they are in a cocoon, a reminder of the 9 months spent in their mother's womb.